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Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Kingfisher Chatters

On Saturday AM, July 27th, John Milhaven of Friends of the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge ( www.farnwr.org ) led "friends" and some visitors on a birding walk at the refuge. The walk was entitled: "Birding by Ear" and as the name implies it was more about identifying Avians by listening to their calls. The walk started at the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge (ARNWR) Visitor Center then down Winterberry Way to Taylor Way as far as the footbridge. Then the walk backtracked to Otter Alley. Harry's Way was followed to complete the loop back to the Visitor Center.

The highlight for most of us was hearing a Black-billed Cuckoo. New England is will within the summer (breeding) range of the Black- and Yellow-billed Cuckoos. Unfortunately no Cuckoos were seen. Along the way numerous other birds were heard and seen. Here are some photos from the walk (click on the highlighted listings below to view the photos):

Other species seen but not photographed include: Pine Warbler; Green Heron; American Robin; Belted Kingfisher (me :-) ); Great Blue Herons and many more. If you visit FARNWR's Flicker account ( http://farnwr.org/gallery1.html ), you can see lots more wildlife from ARNWR. Check frequently as the website is updated frequently with new Fauna and Flora.

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The weather has been hot and water levels are low. The flow of water at the footbridge on Winterberry Way has reversed direction and is now flow east versus the usual westward flow. When there is a breeze, mosquitos are absent especially in open areas. Dragonflies and butterflies are everywhere now. Lots of Red-spotted Purples Butterflies and Mourning Cloak Butterflies. The most common Dragonflies these days are Blue Dashers, Eastern Pondhawks and Common Whitetails.Fledglings are everywhere. Today (07/22) in the afternoon, the following chicks were seen:

Kingfisher Chatter

I hope you will visit my home, Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge (ARNWR). It's a perfect place for experiencing nature. Obey the rules, respect my land and waterways and you are welcome to share them with me. If you are observant you may see many of my friends. You'll find photos of them at: http://farnwr.org/gallery1.html .

If you see anything unusual or interesting on the refuge, have a photo taken on the refuge to post or which to make comments or ask a question, send email to kingfisherchatter@gmail.com .